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Taylor Farms Lettuce at Taco Bell Linked to Stomach Bug Outbreak
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Amid a nationwide rise in cases of cyclosporiasis — the illness caused by the “explosive diarrhea” parasite — officials have identified one possible
On July 16, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released statements on their investigations, which have so far pointed to shredded lettuceates: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky
“Additional states may be added to this advisory as more information becomes available,” the FDA said
However, the FDA and CDC also clarified that this finding, at this point, only applies to the outbreak in those states, currently the largest in the nation. Possible. are still be investigated
tuce was provided to Taco Bell by produce supplier Taylor Farms, which did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment
Taco Bell said in a statement, in part, that, “out of an abundance of caution, Taco Bell has taken immediate action to voluntarily remove potentially impacted lettuce from a supplier in select states. The affected ingredient from our supplier is being indefinitely removed from our supply chain nationwide and will be replaced within 24 hours in select states.”
Cyclosporiasis and the “diarrhea parasite” have made lots of headlines the last few weeks, but the intestinal infection isn’t new. Rates normally ramp up every summer. However, the country is seeing an unusually high number of cases this season, largely driven by the outbreak in Michigan and nearby states
So far in 2026, over 6,700 confirmed or probable cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported to the CDC, whereas the U.S. saw 2,700 cases in all of 2025, NBC News reported
Here’s what to know about where is the parasite surging in the U.S. and how to stay safe during peak fresh produce season
What Is the ‘Diarrhea Parasite’ Going Around?
Cyclosporiasis is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis, a microscopic parasite carried in human feces. People become infected by consuming food or water contaminated with particles of feces from an infected person, Kali Kniel, Ph.D., professor of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware, tells TODAY.com
When ingested, cyclospora infects the small intestine and causes severe gastrointestinal upset. The main symptom of cyclosporiasis is watery, “explosive” diarrhea, which may persist for weeks, per the CDC
“If you’ve ever had a stomach flu or food poisoning, this is exactly what we’re talking about, but people describe it as being even worse,” NBC medical contributor Dr. John Torres said on TODAY in a July 14 segment
Cyclosporiasis is usually not life-threatening, and most healthy people recover on their own, Kniel says. However, treatment with a combination antibiotic is highly effective
After the parasite is shed in stool, it takes one to two weeks living outside the body to mature and become infectious, says Kniel, which makes person-to-person spread highly unlikely
Cyclospora can get into produce if it’s grown in soil or washed with water contaminated with feces, for example. Fresh fruits and vegetables are common culprits, says Kniel
“In the last few years, we have seen an increasing number of cases tied to domestic and imported produce,” Gwen Biggerstaff, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of foodborne diseases, told reporters in a briefing on July 14
Where Are Cyclosporiasis Cases Surging?
As of July 13, nearly 7,000 confirmed and probable cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported in more than half of U.S. states, per the CDC
The CDC has confirmed 1,645 cases in 34 states since May 1, the start of cyclosporiasis season in the U.S., and is also investigating another 5,100 cases, the agency said in a July 14 health alert
At least 141 people have been hospitalized with the diarrhea-causing parasite so far. No deaths have been reported
The majority of cases are in the Midwest, which is experiencing a large, multistate outbreak that began in late June
Michigan is being hit the hardest. As of July 17, the state has reported 5,002 cyclosporiasis cases and 102 hospitalizations, per the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
Ohio has also reported over 1,000 cases, the state’s health department said. Cases have also surpassed 200 in Illinois, Indiana, New York and North Carolina, per local officials
Beyond the five-state outbreak linked to shredded lettuce, it’s unclear which other clusters of cases in the U.S. may be connected, and investigations are ongoing, the CDC said
“There may be multiple unrelated outbreaks going on at the same time,” Donald Schaffner, Ph.D., professor of food microbiology in the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University, tells TODAY.com
The true number of cyclospora infections in the U.S. is likely higher than the numbers currently being reported. That’s because many people who get sick with diarrhea do not go to the doctor or get tested for cyclospora, per the CDC
“We anticipate continuing to see cases increase, possibly through the end of August,” Biggerstaff said
What Food Is Driving the Rise in Cyclospora Cases?
So far, U.S. health officials have identified one possibleFDA are still investigating possible
On July 16, the CDC and FDA announced that shredded lettuce supplied to Taco Bell locations in five states had been linked to the outbreak in these states
“More than 1,644 sick people in this outbreak reported eating at Taco Bell locations in 5 states,” the CDC said, adding that the FDA is investigating if the implicated lettuce was used in other states
Taco Bell has taken steps to remove this lettuce from its national supply chain, the company said in a statement
Outside of those five states, over 1,000 cases have been reported by state health departments, based on NBC News’ latest tally. The investigations into these clusters are ongoing
Schaffner and Kniel both suspect there’s more than one food or water
Is Taco Bell a
While the investigation is ongoing, both the CDC and FDA have issued statements saying the shredded lettuce at Taco Bell locations in five states have been linked to a cyclospora outbreak
“Do not eat shredded iceberg lettuce from Taco Bell locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia,” the CDC said
However, it’s possible that there’s also anotherutbreaks and illnesses of cyclosporiasis nationally that are unrelated to this outbreak,” the agency said
Taco Bell is working to remove the implicated lettuce from its national supply chain “indefinitely,” and it will be removed by end of day Friday in select locations, a spokesperson said. Not every Taco Bell location in the five states received the lettuce, the FDA noted
Tracking Cyclospora Outbreaks
Cyclospora is a particularly challenging parasite to track, food safety experts tell TODAY.com
“It has a much longer incubation period than most (types) of food poisoning,” explained Torres
Symptoms may not appear for up to 14 days — then confirming a diagnosis through testing and being interviewed by an epidemiologist to investigate can take weeks or longer, says Schaffner. By that point, the person isn’t likely to remember what they ate that could’ve caused the symptoms
As a result, only a small portion of cases every year get traced back to a particular food item, Dianna Blau, acting chief of the CDC’s Parasitic Disease Branch, told NBC News
It’s also worth noting that, in July 2025, the CDC’s foodborne surveillance network made testing for cyclospora optional, which could be impacting the response, Schaffner says
Foods to Avoid Due to the Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
The only way to prevent cyclosporiasis is to avoid food and water that may be contaminated with feces. And because public health investigations are ongoing, it’s impossible to know which items to keep off your grocery list, if any
Still, the experts urge people not to panic
“Almost all servings of fresh fruits and vegetables that you can buy on the market today are not linked to this outbreak, and are not any more likely to cause illness because of the outbreak,” says Schaffner
So, currently there’s no reason to cut out raw produce, especially during peak season for so many delicious fruits and vegetables
“We know that fresh (produce is) part of a healthy diet, and I certainly don’t want to discourage that,” adds Schaffner, who still plans to enjoy his favorite fruits and vegetables this summer
If you want to avoid certain foods out of an abundance of caution, past cyclosporiasis outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to the following foods:
- Salad greens
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Raspberries
- Geen onions
- Snow peas
How to Prevent Cyclospora
“There are ways to be proactive,” says Kniel
Cooking food to least 158 degrees Fahrenheit is the best way to protect yourself, as heat destroys the parasite. Freezing can also eliminate cyclospora, but it’s not a guarantee
Washing produce thoroughly can reduce the risk of foodborne illness, but it won’t eliminate cyclospora entirely
Health authorities have offered a few more tips to prevent cyclospora infection:
- Wash your hands well with soap and hot water before and after handling raw produce.
- Scrub all fresh fruits and vegetables with a produce brush under clean, running water. Do not use soap.
- Remove the outer layer of leaves or the peel, if possible. Run the inner leaves under running water.
- Cut or peel off damaged areas of produce before eating.
People with weakened immune systems may need to take extra precautions and should consult their doctor about how to avoid foodborne illness, says Kniel
“We are seeing hospitalizations, so if you do get sick, good hydration is critical, and so is getting clinical care because this can be treated,” Kniel adds
If you develop symptoms of cyclosporiasis, contact your doctor
